Machine for affixing opening threads to sealed containers



March 2 6, 1940- H. J. ENGLE ET AL 2.195.085

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO SEALED CONTAINES Manh 26 1940. H. J. ENGLE ET A1. 2,195,085

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO SEALED CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 27, 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 26, 1940. H. J. ENGLE ET A1. 2,195,085

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO SEALED CONTAINERS March 26, 1940. H, J, ENGLE ET AL 2,195,085

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING FHREADS TO SEALED CONTAINERS Filed De'o. 27, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 /50 j/ I |15; 58@ /64 ma V9 Z March 26, 1940. H. J. ENGLE ET Ax. 2,195,085

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO SEALED CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 27. 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 /N/fA/roes:

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 H. J. ENGLE ET AL March 26, 1.940.

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO SEALED CONTAINERS Filed DeC. 27, 1938 March 26, 1940. H. .1. ENGLE er AL 2,195,085

MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS` TO SEALED CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 27, 1958 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 uwe:

Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR AFFIXING OPENING THREADS TO SEALED CONTAINERS Delaware Application December 27, 1938, Serial No. 247,784

25 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for making container bodies of the kind having separate sections that are held together by a seal, label or wrapper adapted to be broken along the joint 6 between said sections to permit separation thereof, and it relates more particularly to machines of the type wherein the sectional body is formed by winding strips of adhesive paper in a number of convolutions around a rotary mandrel and the sealing label or wrapper is wrapped around the convolute shell or body as it rotates with said mandrel. The invention has for its principal object to provide a machine of the above type that will apply an opening thread beneath the label or seal at the joint between the two container sections, with one end of the thread left exposed so that said seal or label may be broken at said joint by pulling on the exposed end of the thread. Other objects are to provide for the interchange of the label ailixing table of said machine with a combined label and thread aiiixing table; to provide for accurately locating the thread in line with the joint between the body sections on the mandrel; to utilize the rotary movement of the body supporting mandrel for wrapping the thread around the body while the seal or label is being aflixed thereto; to provide for adjustment of the parts for container bodies of diierent shapes and sizes; to provide for the 30 operation of the thread laying, ail'ixing and cutoff mechanism in proper timed relation with the body forming and label afixing mechanism; and to provide for simplicity and cheapness of construction and to obtain other advantages hereinafter appearing. The invention consists in the thread ailixing mechanism and in the construction and combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification and wherein like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur:

Fig. 1 is a front side elevation of the label aflixing or delivery end portion of a convolute wind- 45 ing and labeling machine provided with a thread afiixing mechanism embodying my invention,

Fig'. 2 is an end elevation of said portion of said machine,

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the label supporting table and thread laying and cut-off mechanism, as indicated by the line 4 4 in Fig. 3,

55 Figs. 5 and 6 are vertical transverse sections through said table on the line 5 5 and 6 6, respectively, in Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the lower portion of the machine, showing the cam actuated switches and valve for 5 controlling the sequence of operation of thread laying, cut-off and gripping device,

Figs. 8 and 9 are vertical cross sections on the lines 8 8 and 9 9, respectively, in Fig. 7,

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the combined l0 label and thread aiiixing table,

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the notched solenoid actuated plate for raising and lowering the thread laying and cut-oil device in the retracted positions thereof,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the combined label and thread xing table,

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section through the thread gripping mechanism on the line l3-I3 in Fig. 12,

Figs. 14 and 15 are sections through one of the thread gripping devices on the line |4 |4 in Fig. 13, showing said device in closed and open positions, respectively,

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary horizontal section on 25 the line I6 |6 in Fig. 12,

Fig. 17 is a vertical transverse section through the table on the line I1 I'| in Fig. 12,

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the supporting block for one of the thread gripping devices,

Fig. 19 is a side view of said block, looking at the table opposing side thereof,

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the thread laying devices, the thread cut-ofi' device associated therewith and the supporting 35 bar for said devices,

Fig. 21 is a vertical cross-section through said devices on the line 2| 2I in Fig. 20,

Fig. 22 is a vertical transverse section along the longitudinal axis of the thread cut-off device 40 on the line 22-22 in Fig. 20,

Fig. 23 is a similar section through the thread laying device on the line 23 23 in Fig. 20,

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the supporting bar for the thread laying and cut-off devices in the region of the outermost end frame of the table, showing the cut-oil knife actuating shaft, the actuating arm therefor and the spring device for holding said knife in raised or inoperative position,

Fig. 25 is a vertical cross-section through said bar and said spring device on the line 25-25 in Fig. 24,

Fig. 26 is a vertical cross-section through the thread laying device on the line 26-26 in Fig. 20,

Fig. 27 is a diagram showing the electric circuit for controlling the solenoid for openingthe thread gripping device, the' solenoid for operating the thread cut-off device, the solenoid for raising said devices in the retracted position thereof and the fluid cylinder and cam controlled valve for projecting and retracting said devices,

Figs. 28, 29, 30 and 31 are fragmentary diagrammatic views of the label and thread aflxing table and the mandrel upon which the convolute container shell is formed, the several views showing the various positions assumedby the thread laying, gripping and cut-01T devices during the operation of applying the label and opening thread to the said container.

Fig. 32 is a similar View showing the relative positions of the mandrel label smoothing roller and thread laying and cut-orf devices while the mandrel is beingrotated to wrap the thread and label around the container,

Fig.` 33 is a side elevation of the finished container shell with the connecting or sealing label and opening thread applied thereto; and

Fig. 34 is an enlarged fragmentary section through said container shell on the line 34-34 in Fig. 33.

In the accompanying drawings our invention is illustrated in connection with a machine for making tubular container bodies of the kind having separately formed sections I and 2 that are secured together in endwise abutting relation by a seal, label or wrapper adapted to be broken along the point 3 between said sections to permit separation thereof. In this type of machine, the .sectional container body is formed by winding two strips of adhesive paper side by side in a number of convolutions around a mandrel 4 by rotating the latter about its longitudinal axis while the paper is held against the rotating mandrel by a suitable pressure roller 5. After the mandrel 4 is rotated the desired number of revolutions, depending on the number of convolutions desired, the mandrel is stopped and the convolute shells or container sections I and 2 are slid endwise along the mandrel to a label applying station by means of a suitable stripper 6 that embraces the mandrel and is slid therealong by means of a suitable shifter fork 1. In this position of the convolute shells the label is pressed against the adhesive outer surfaces thereof and the mandrel is again rotated to cause the label to wind around said sections and thus hold them together in abutting endwise relation. During this rotary movement of the mandrel, the label is held against the two shells joined thereby by means of a suitable pressure roller 8. After the application of the label the finished container body is pushed oi the end of the mandrel by the sliding movement of the succeeding shells into labeling position.

The mandrel is suitably supported and intermittently rotated in any desired manner (not shown). As shown in Figs. l and 2, the respective pressure rollers 5 and 8 are controlled by edge or disk cams 9 and I 0 xed to continuously rotating main drive shaft II that extends longitudinally of the machine. The cam 9 engages a roller I2 journaled on one end of a lever I3 that is pivoted on the frame I5 of the machine and has a spring connection I4 therewith for holding said roller in contact with said cam. The other end of said lever is connected to the lower end of a rod I6 whose upper end is connected to a lever I1 that is journaled for vertically swinging movement in a bracket I8 and has the pressure roller 5 suitably supported thereon.- `As`shown in Fig. 2, the pressure roller 8 is mounted on the upper end of an arm I9 whose lower end is i'lxed to a horizontal rock shaft 20 which is journaled in the frame I5 and has a rock arm 2I rigid therewith whose free end is provided with a roller 2Ia that is held in engagement with the cam I by a spring 22 being attached at one end to the frame and at the other end to the arm I9.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the continuously rotating drive shaft I I has a gear 23 thereon that intermeshes with a gear 24 journaled on a countershaft 25 lthat is journaled in frame I5 and is connected to a table 26 adapted to support one or more stacks of the labels 21 and to move upwardly (see Figs. 29 and 30) to press the uppermost label into engagement with the shell located thereabove. The table 26 is mounted on the upper end of a plunger 26a that is mounted for vertically reciprocating movement in a cylinder 28 provided therefor in the frame I of the machine. This plunger is provided on one side with a rack 29 adapted to be engaged by a pinion 25a fixed to the intermittently driven shaft 25. This shaft is operatively connected to the continuously driven gear 24 by means of a suitable clutch comprising cooperating friction disk elements 30 and 3| on the shaft and driven gear, respectively. The movable clutch element 30 is splined on the shaft 25 and is engaged with the clutch element .of the gear 24 by means of a compression coil spring 32 sleeved on said shaft between a nut 33 thereon and a shifter arm 34 through which said shaft extends. One end of this arm is pivotally supported on a rod 35 fixed to the frame I5 of the machine; and the other end of said arm has a roller 36 journaled thereon adapted to cooperate with a face cam 31 xed to the continuously rotating drive shaft II. By this arrangement, the clutch is engaged by the spring 32 to raise the table 26 once during each revolution of the drive shaft II; that is, when the roller 36 and the cam 31 enters the drop 31a in said cam, said table being returned by its own Weight to its lowermost position.

The automatic convolute shell forming and label applying machine thus far described is Well known and it is considered unnecessary to illustrate it in detail.

In accordance with the present invention, the hereinbefore described container body forming and labeling machine is provided with means for applying an opening thread 38 (see Figs. 33 and 34) between the label and the container sections I and 2 at the joint between said sections, with one end 38a of said thread left loose and exposed so that a pull thereon will cause the thread to break said label along said joint and thus permit separation of the said sections. As shown in the drawings, the thread ailixing means includes duplicate upright frames 39 whose lower ends are provided with ribs 40 that are slidable in horizontal grooves 4I in the respective ends of the table 26 and secured thereto in the desired position of adjustment by means of cap screws 4Ia. The two end frames are connected at their upper ends by means of a horizontal top frame member comprising end portions 42, which have ribs 43 slidable in longitudinal grooves 44 provided therefor in the tops of the respective end frames 39 and are connected at their mandrel opposing ends by a web or bar 45. The end portions 42 of the top frame are secured in the grooves 44 of the end frame members of the table by means of cap screws 46.

Rigidly secured to the innermost end frame of the table 26 is a iiuid cylinder 41 containing a piston (not shown) having an upwardly and rearwardly extending rod 48 whose outer end is pivotally connected, as at 49, with the outer end of one arm of a lever 50 fixed to a rock shaft journaled at and intermediate between its ends in suitable bearings 52, 52a provided therefor on the end and web members 43 and 45, respectively of the top frame. The other arm of the lever 50 extends downwardly outside of the adjacent end frame 39 and is pivotally connected, as at 54, to a lever 55 substantially intermediate between the ends thereof. One end of this lever 55, the end remote from the mandrel 4, has a cam roller 5'6 journaled thereon which works in a horizontally extending cam slot 51 formed in a plate 58 that is removably secured to the innermost end frame 39 of the table 26. The mandrel opposing end of this cam slot is curved upwardly, as at 59, and the other end of said slot is extended downwardly as at 60. Fixed to the shaft 5| beyond theoutermost end frame 39 of the table 26 isa downwardly extending arm 50a similar to the downwardly extending arm of the cylinder operated lever 50; and a lever 55a similar to the lever 55, is pivotally supported, as at 54a intermediate between its ends on the lower end of the arm 59a. The lever 55a, like the lever 55 is provided at the end thereof remote from the mandrel with a cam roller 56a which works in a cam slot 51a formed in a plate 58a that is removably secured to the outermost end frame of the table and has its mandrel opposing end 59a curved upwardly after the manner of the corresponding end of the cam slot 51 in the removable plate 58 on the innermost end frame of the table. The other end of cam slot 51a opens into an opening 60a that extends above and below said slot. Supported on and secured to the mandrel opposing ends of the levers 55 and 55a is a cross bar 6| adapted to support one of more thread laying and thread cutoff devices.

As shown in Fig. 20, each thread laying or positioning device comprises a finger 62 removably mounted on the cross bar 6| and extending crosswise thereof in the direction from the mandrel 4. This iinger has a tapered or wedge shaped outer end portion 63 and has its inner end portion grooved crosswise on its under side to straddle the cross bar 6| to which it is rigidly clamped by means of a cap screw 54 that extends downwardly through said iinger and a longitudinal slot 65 provided therefor in said bar and is threaded into a clamp plate 66 that bears against the under side of said bar and has a transverse guide rib 61 that seats within said slot. By this arrangement the iinger 62 may be shifted longitudinally of the cross bar 6| and clamped thereon in the desired position of adjustment by tightening the clamp screw 64. Removably secured to the underside of the finger 62 by means of cap screws 68 is a base plate 69 having a tapering outer end portion 69a that terminates beyond the edge thereof in a blunt end.

69b, thereby forming a ledge 1|! around the sides and end of said wedge shaped portion of said finger. The upper portion of the iinger is cut away, as at 1|, along one side and across the wedge shaped end thereof to accommodate a thread hold-down block 12. This block seats iiatwise upon the bottom of the cut-away portion 1| of the finger and has a .wedge shaped outer end portion 12a whose sides are in flush vlig. 23, the thread,

alinement with the sides of the wedge shaped end 68 of said finger. The rear end of the holddown block 12 is secured by a horizontal pivot 13 to the ringer 62 and is yieldably held down on said linger by means of a leaf spring 14 and is provided beyond the free end of said leaf spring with a pin 15 whereby said block` may be swung 'upwardly to facilitate threading, after having swung said spring laterally clear of said block. The under side of this hinged hold-down plate 12 is provided with a downwardly opening central longitudinal groove 16 which cooperates with the portion of the finger located therebelow to form a passageway for the thread. As shown in just before entering the groove 13 passes beneath the tapered lower end of a dog 11 whose upper end is supported on a horizontal pivot 18 that is fixed'to an upstanding lug 19 on the finger and is disposed crosswise thereof. The lower end of this lug `is yieldably held down on the thread by means of a tension spring 11a having one end xed to said lug and the other end iixed to the xed pivot pin 18 permits travel of the thread towards the outer end of the finger but prevents movement of the thread in the opposite direction. The thread passes through a guide slot provided therefor in an upstanding pin 80 lmounted on the iinger forwardly of the dog 11 and through a guide 8| on a bracket 82 that is supported on top of the cross bar 6| and has a transverse rib 83 on its underside that seats in the slot 65 in said bar, whereby said bracket may be adjusted longitudinally of said slot. The bracket 82 is rigidly secured to the cross bar in the desired position of adjustment longitudinally thereof by means of a cap screw 83a which extends downwardly through said bracket and the slot in the cross bar and is threaded into a clamp plate 84 that bears against the under side of said cross bar and has a transverse rib 85 on its upper side that slidably engages the slot therein. The thread thence passes through a guide 86 fixed to the main frame I5 of the convolute winding machine to a source of supply comprising a spool 81 of thread sleeved on an upright spindle 88 supported on a bracket 89 that projects horizontally from said frame.

Each thread cutoff device (see Figs. 20 and 23) comprises an arm 90 that is supported on and is adjustable longitudinally of a rock shaft 9| that extends longitudinally of and is supported on the cross bar 6|. This arm has a split hub portion that is clamped to the shaft 9| by means of a clamp screw 92. The shaft 9| is journaled in suitable bearing blocks 93 that seat on top of the cross bar 6| and have transverse ribs 94 on their under sides that seat within the elongated slot 65 in said cross bar. These blocks are secured to the cross bar by means of cap screws 95 that extend downwardly through said blocks and the slot 65 in said bore with their lower ends threaded through clamp plates 96 that bear against the under sides of said bar and have transverse ribs 91 on the upper surface that slidably fit said slot.

The arm 90 extends outwardly from the cross bar 6| along side of the finger 52 in the direction of the mandrel 4 and has a tapered, axially bored, vexternally threaded split outer end portion 98. Mounted on this portion 98 of the arm 90 is a clamp sleeve 99 that has a threaded bore kthat is adapted to receive said portion of said arm and has a flared end adapted to seat against the tapered portion of said arm. Mounted in the bore of this sleeve is a spindle whose inner end portion is disposed in the bore of the split portion 98 of the arm 90, whereby said spindie is rigidly clamped to said arm against both axial and rotary movement when said sleeve is tightened to cause said split portion of said arm to grip said spindle. The spindle |00 projects beyond the outer end of the sleeve 99 and has a knife blade |0| secured thereto withlits cutting edge disposed opposite the blunt end 69h of the base plate 69 of the thread laying finger 52 in a position to swing across said end after a manner of a shear to cut the thread ilush with said b-lunt end of said bottom plate.

As shown in Figs. 24 and 25 the knife supporting arm 90 is normally held in raised or inoperative position by means of a coil compression spring |02 interposed between the corresponding ends of a pair of plates |03 and |04 disposed crosswise of the cross bar 6| one above and the other below said bar. The upper plate |03 is clamped to the knife actuating shaft 9| by means of a clamp screw |05, one end of this plate projecting beyond the mandrel opposing side of the cross bar and having a recess on the under side thereof adapted to form a seat for the upper end of the spring |02; and the other end of said plate is adapted to bear against the upper surface of said cross bar and limit the upward swinging movement of the knife. An operating arm |06 has a split hub portion secured to the shaft 9|; and projecting by means of a clamp screw |01 laterally from the outer end of said arm is a pin |00.

The arm |03 is swung upwardly against the tension of the spring |02 to swing the knife ||l| downwardly across the blunt end 69D of the thread positioning nger 62 preferably by means of a pull type electromagnet or solenoid |00 having a downwardly extending plunger or armature ||0 which terminates at its lower end in an inclined surface |012 adapted, when the solenoid is energized, to swing said arm upwardly and thus rotate the shaft 9| in a direction that will swing said knife downwardly into an operative position. The frame of this solenoid is removably secured by means of cap screws ||2 to a horizontal bar l i3 that is removably secured to the outermost end frame of the table 26. This bar is provided with an elongated slot ||fl through which the screws ||2 extend; and the solenoid frame ||l is provided with vertical slots ||5 through which the said screws also extend, whereby the solenoid is adjustable both horizontally and vertically with respect to the table and mandrel.

When the two cross bar supporting levers 55 and 55a which are pivotally suspended intermediate to their ends on the arms 50 and 50a of the cylinder operated rock shaft 5|, are in retracted position, the cam roller 56a carried by the lever 55a enters a lateral opening notch IE6 formed in a plate that is mounted for vertical sliding movement in the enlarged opening, 60a at the end of the cam slot 57a in the cover plate 58a on the outer end frame of the table. This plate is normally held by means of a coil spring H8 in the uppermost position of its sliding movement with its notch in register with and forming a continuation of the cam slot 51a in the cover plate 58a. The plate ||`l is suitably secured to and forms part of the armature or plunger H9 of an electromagnet or pull type solenoid |20 that is secured to the adjacent end of the table by means of cap screws |2|. The armature slides between guide plates |22 fixed to the plate 58a; and the solenoid frame has a rib slidable in the groove 40 in the adjacent end of the table. When the solenoid |20 is energized, the plunger ||9 is pulled downwardly against the tension of the spring ||8 and the roller 56a on the lever 55a being in engagement with the notch ||6 is pulled down wardly with said plunger and causes said lever to turn on its pivot 54a and swing its front thread laying and cut-ofi mechanism supporting end upwardly. This same swinging movement is imparted to the other lever 55 in the retracted position thereof, downwardly extending end 50 of the cam slot 51 permitting such movement of said lever. c

When the piston in the cylinder 4l is drawn inwardly therein, the two cross bar supporting levers 50, 50a swing in the direction of the man` drel and thus shift the two levers 55, 55a in the direction of the mandrel. In this position of the parts, see Fig. 28, the thread is carried by each thread laying finger 62 beneath the mandrel into engagement with a suitable thread holding or gripping device adapted to seize the exposed loose end 38h of the thread on the edge at the outer end of said iinger. As shown in Figs. 12 to 17, this thread holding device preferably'comprises a pair of jaws |23 that are pivotally secured together and to the upper end of a supporting block |24 by an upstanding pivot pin |25 on said end of said block and are adapted to be brought together to clamp the thread therebetween. The two jaws |23 are normally held in closed position by means of a U-shaped spring |25 which straddles the pivoted ends of said jaws with its ends seated in notches |27 in the outer faces thereof. The block |24 is secured ilatwise to the rear face of a plate |28 that is mounted for vertical sliding movement on the rear side face of the table 25. Said block is secured to said plate by means of a cap screw |29 which extends horizontally therethrough into an elongated slot |30 in the vertically slidable plate |20 and is threaded into a clamping plate |3| that is slidable longitudinal in said slot, both the block and the plate being provided with horizontal ribs |32 and |33, respectively, that are slidable in said slot. As shown in Figs. 12, 16 and i7, the vertically slidable threaded grip supporting plate |28 has its ends disposed in vertical guideways formed by plates |34 secured to the table in overlapping relation to the ends of said slide plate. This slide plate |28 is suspended for downwardly yielding movement relative to the table by means of coil springs |35 whose lower ends are connected to lugs |28a at the lower corners of the slide plate and whose upper ends are secured by means of cap screws |35a to the guide plates |34.

The thread gripping jaws |23 are swung open against the tension of the closing spring |25 therefor by means of a rotary face cam |36 located in a recess |24a provided therefor in the block |20 beneath said jaws. This cam works between rollers |3'| journaled in the opposing sides of the thread gripping jaws i2? and are adapted in engagement with the rise of the cam |36 to force said jaws apart into thread releasing position. When the drop of the cam is 0pposite the rollers |31 the jaws are closed by the spring |26. As shown in Fig. 13, the thread gripping jaws are disposed at a downwardly and rearwardly inclination with respect to the table, with their thread gripping ends facing the latter.

post |64 that is connected to the movable contact In the projected positionof the thread laying finger said finger is disposed at an angle corresponding to the angle of the thread locking jaws with its wedge shaped end portion 63 disposed in the gap between the thread engaging ends of said jaws, and the tapered base plate 69 centers.

itself within a correspondingly tapered recess |24b provided therefor in the inclined upper face of the supporting block |24. The cam |36 is fixed to a horizontal rock shaft |38, which is journaled in the block |24 and in a. bracket |39 that is fixed to the downwardly yielding block supporting plate |28 and extends beyond the rear end frame of the table. As shown in Figs. 12 and 17, this bracket forms a housing for a pinion |40 on the shaft |38 and has an opening extending therethrough at right angles to the pinion axis for slidably supporting a rack bar |4|. The rack bar has a coil compression spring |42 sleeved thereon between a collar |43 thereon and the bracket |39, which spring serves to shift said rack bar in a direction that will rotate the cam |36 to a position that will permit the spring |26 to close the thread gripping jaws |23.

'I'he rack bar |4| is shifted in the opposite direction to rotate the cam |36 to a position that will open the thread gripping jaws |23 by means of a plunger type electromagnet or solenoid |44 which is secured by means of cap screws |45 to the rear end of the table. The frame of the solenoid has a rib slidable in the supporting slideway 40 for the outermost end frame of the table, thereby permitting adjustment of the solenoid frame towards and away from the rock shaft |38. The armature |46 of this solenoid |44 has a slotand-pin connection with the rack bar |4| that permits relative vertical movement of said armature and rack bar, said slot-and-pin connection comprising a pin |41 on the armature that works in a vertical slot |48 provided therefor in the rack bar.

Mounted on the base of the machine below the table 26 is a horizontal shaft |49 that is continuously driven from the continuously rotating shaft through a sprocket chain |50. This shaft has an edge cam |5| fixed thereto adapted to actuate the operating arm |52 of a suitable valve |53 which controls the admission of air to and the exhaust of air from the cylinder 41 that shifts the thread laying finger 62'towards and away from the mandrel 4. The connections between the valve and the cylinder comprises a conduit |54 leading from the valve to one end of the cylinder and a conduit |55 leading from the valve to the other end of the cylinder. Air is supplied to the valve |53 by suitable conduit |53a. The continuously rotating valve operating shaft |49 also operates three switches A, B and C for controlling the solenoids |09, |20 and |44. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, these switches, which may be of any desired construction, each preferably comprises a stationary contact member |56 carried by a disk |51 through which the shaft |49 extends and a movable contact arm |58 that is movable into and out of engagement with the stationary contact by a cam |59 fixed to said shaft. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the disk |51 carries the stationary contact |56 and is mounted for vertical adjustment on a pair of posts |60 located one on each side of said shaft, said disk being provided with split lugs |6| that are clamped to the posts by means of clamp screws |62. The movable contact carrying arm |58 is pivotally mounted on an insulating plate |63 fixed to the disk |51 and is provided with a binding by means of a spring plate |66. The metal disk |51 also`carries a binding post |66; and the cam |59 is fixed to the shaft |49 in the desired position of angular adjustment by means of a set screw |61. As shown in the wiring diagram in Fig. 27, the wires of the electric circuit lead from a source of electrical energy and are connected with the respective binding posts of the switches for controlling the solenoids, the relative angular position of the cams'on the shaft |49 bringing about the operation of the solenoids in proper sequence and the angular position of the valve operating cam |6| on said shaft bringing about the operation of the piston in the cylinder 41 in proper timed relation with switch operating cams. As shown in Fig. 27, the cams which control the switches for the solenoids |09 and |20 are each provided with one flat face that permits the switch to close once only during each revolution of the shaft |49; whereas the cam which operates the switch for the solenoid |44 that'opens the thread gripping jaws |23 has two fiat faces which permitthe solenoid to be energized twice during each revolution of the cam. While the jaws |23 are required to open and close once only during each revolution of the cam, the two flat faces are provided to energize the solenoid twice during each revolution ofthe switch controlling cam in order to shorten the length of time during which the jaw opening solenoid |44 is energized and thus prevents said solenoid from becoming overheated and burning out.

The operation of the machine is as follows: 'Ihe convolute cardboard shell sections and 2 formed on the mandrel 4 are shifted endwise thereof to label receiving position, and the table 26 is raised to bring the label 3 on top of the stack carried by said table into contact with the two abutting shells, all in accordance with previous practice and in the manner hereinbefore described. With the ypresent invention, however, just before the table is raised to bring the label into engagement with the shell sections on the stationary mandrel, the cam |5I on the continuously driven shaft |49 operates the valve |53 to supply air to the cylinder 28 to shift the piston therein in a direction that will cause the two levers 55, 55a to move in the direction 'of the mandrel. Near the end of this movement, the cam rollers 56, 56a move upwardly into the upwardly curved portions 59, 59a of the cam slots 51, 51a and thus cause the opposite ends of said levers to swing'downwardly-about their pivots 54, 54a. and slide the wedge shaped end of the thread laying finger 62 between the open thread gripping jaws |23 and the tapered end of the base plate 69 of said finger into the beveled tapered guide pocket |24b of the jaw supporting block |24 (see Fig. 28). The jaw opening solenoid |44 is then deenergized, thereby permittingthe spring |42 to rotate the cam 36 to a position that will permit spring |26 to close the jaws upon the exposed loose end 36h of the thread lying on the shelf 10 formed bythe projecting blunt end 6917 of the base plate 69.

Air is then supplied by the valve |53 to the opposite end of the cylinder 41 to shift the levers 55, 55a in a direction that will retract or withdraw the thread laying nger 62 from beneath the mandrel. The table 26 then moves upwardly to bring the uppermost label into contact with the bottom of the convolute shells on the mandrel thereabove; and, at the same time, the ends of the downwardly yieldable thread lock. carrying plate |28 engage the mandrel thereby causing the ends of the closed thread jaws to move below the level of the compressed stack of labels (see Fig. 29). The solenoid |20 is then energized to pull the armature I8 thereof and the notched plate downwardly, whereby the end of the lever 55a having the cam roller 56a seated in the notch ||6 in said plate is swung downwardly and the opposite end which carries the thread laying finger 62 is swung upwardly to take upA any slack in the thread between the closed thread holding jaws |23 and Said nger (see Fig. 30). The movable clutch element 30 is then disengaged from the continuously driven gear 24 thereby permitting the table to move downwardly, and the solenoid |44 is energized to open the thread gripping jaws |23 and release the thread. The solenoid |08 is energized to pull its armature upwardly,

and force the inclined surface ||0a at the lower end thereof into engagement with the under side of the pin |08 on the operating arm |06 of the rock shaft 9|, thereby rotating said shaft against the tension of the spring |02 in a direction which will cause the knife |0| to swing downwardly across the blunt edge 69h of the base plate 69 of the thread laying finger 62 and thus sever the thread at said edge (see Fig. 31). With the parts in this position the mandrel is rotated to cause the label 3 to wrap around the abutting shells I and 2 and adhere thereto with the assistance of pressure roller 8 (see Fig. 32).

The hereinbefore described machine permits the thread laying finger and the thread gripping jaws to be shifted longitudinally of the mandrel to bring the thread in accurate alinement with the joint between the two container shells. The entire thread laying and cut-off mechanism may be shifted toward and away from the mandrel by shifting the end frames 39 crosswise of the table. The time of the thread cutoff may be varied for shells of diiferent widths by the use of cover plates 58, 58a having cam slots of different length and shape, and the timing of the operation of the different solenoids may be regulated by adjusting the relative angular positions of the rotary cams which operate the switches that control the respective solenoids. The yieldable mounting of the thread gripping device permits the entire device, including its cam shaft and the rack and pinion therefor, to move downwardly below the level of the label stack when the stack is pressed against the under side of the mandreVand to move above the stack when the pressure thereon is released to permit the thread gripping jaws to rise above the level of the labels in position to receive the thread laying finger as it moves thereacross.

The present label and thread ainxing table may be used interchangeably with the old label xing table merely by removing the new table and substituting the old table therefor, thereby adapting the machine for use in applying labels in accordance with the old practice. When the machine is operating with the old table, the control valve for the finger shifting cylinder is shut off to prevent the escape of air therefrom by means of a horizontal slidable push-and-pull rod |68 which is pressed against an arm I68a fixed to the shaft on which the cam actuated operating arm |52 of the valve is secured, to hold said arm |52 clear of the rotating cam |5|, said rod having a notch |69 thereon adapted to engage a lug .|10 on the frame of the machine (see Figs. 1 and 2).

While the invention ls particularly adapted for use with a convolute winding machine of the type shown and described, it may also be embodied in other types of container forming and labeling machines or embodied in a separate independent machine, and we wish the word label to be taken broad enough to cover all forms of wrappers or seals for releasably holding together separable container sections. Obviously the construction hereinbefore described admits of considerable variation Without departing\from the invention.

What we claim is:

1. In a machine for aflixing a label to a container, a support for said container, a support for said label located below the support for said container, means for imparting relative vertical movement to said supports to engage said label with said container, and means for allxing a label rupturing thread to said container, said means comprising a single thread gripping member mounted on said label support at one side 0f said label, and a single thread carrying member mounted on said label support adjacent toV the opposite side of said label to move through the space between said container and said label into engagement with said single gripping device to engage the thread therewith and to return to a position clear of said space prior to the engagement of said label with said container,

2. In a machine for affixing a label to a container body, a support for said container, asupport for said label belowthe container support, means for raising the label support to engage the label thereon with the underside of said container, and means for ailxing a thread to said container for rupturing said label, a supply mass of thread, said means comprising a thread gripping member mounted on said label support at one side of said label, and a member mounted 0n said label support adjacent to the opposite side 0f said label for movement between said container and said label for withdrawing thread from said supply mass and for laying the loose end of said thread in said thread gripping member, said thread laying member being movable into and out of its thread laying position beneath said container support prior to the engagement of said label with said container by the upward movement of said label support, and means associated with said thread laying member for severing said thread adjacent to the forward end 0f thread laying member upon its return from thread laying position beneath said label support to a position clear thereof.

3. In a machine for aiixing a label to a container, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to afx said label to said container, and means for aflixing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member, a thread carrying member movable between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member for inserting the thread therein prior to the engagement of said label with said container, means on said thread carrying member for preventing movement of said thread relative thereto during the movement thereof into engagement with said thread gripping member and for permitting relative movement of said thread and thread carrying member during return movement of the latter from engagement with said gripping member, means for severing said thread adjacent to the forward end of said thread carrying member at the end of said return movement, and means for lifting said thread carrying member at the end of said return movement to draw the thread taut between said thread carrying member and said thread gripping member.

4. In a machine for amxing a label to a container, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to afllx said label to said container. and means for afllxing an opening thread to said container comprising a spring closed thread gripping member, a movably mounted thread carrying member, fluid operated means for moving said thread carrying member between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member for inserting the thread therein prior to the engagement of said label with said container, electrically operated means for opening said thread gripping member, a knife movable across the end of said thread carrying member to sever said thread, and electrically operated means for moving said knife to thread cutting position.

5. In a machine for ailixing a label to a container, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to aix said label to said container, and means for afllxing an opening thread to said container comprising a spring closed thread gripping member, a movably mounted thread carrying member, fluid operated means for moving said thread carrying member between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member for inserting the thread therein prior to the engagement of said label with said container, electrically operated means for opening said thread gripping member, a knife movable across the end of said thread carrying member to sever said thread, electrically operated means for moving said knife to thread cutting position. and electrically operated means for raising said thread carrying member to take up slack in said thread prior to the opening of said thread gripping member and the cutting of said thread.

6. In a machine for afiixing a label to a container, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to afllx said label to said container, and means for aillxing an opening thread to said container comprising a spring closed thread gripping member, a movably mounted thread carrying member, fluid operated means for moving said thread carrying member between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member for inserting the thread therein prior to the engagement of said label with said container, electrically operated means for opening said thread gripping member, a knife movable across the end of said thread carrying member to sever said thread, and electrically operated means for moving said knife to threadcutting position, electrically operated means for raising said thread carrying member to take up slack in said thread prior to the opening of said thread gripping member and the cutting of said thread, a valve for controlling-said fluid operated means, switches for the respective electrically operated means, and a series of rotary cams for operating said valve and the respective switches.

7. In a machine for aiiixing a label to a container, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to amx said label to said container, and means for alxing an opening thread to said container comprising a spring closed thread gripping member, a movably mounted thread carrying member, fluid operated means for moving said thread carrying member between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member for inserting the thread therein prior to the engagement of said label with said container, electrically operated means for opening said thread gripping member, a knife movable across the end of said thread carrying member to sever said thread, and electrically operated means for moving said knife to thread cutting position, a valve for controlling said fluid operated means, and switches for the respective electrically operated means, and a series of rotary cams for operating said valve and the respective switches.

8. In a machine for aixing a label to a container, a mandrel for supporting said container, a supporting table for said label located beneath said mandrel and adapted to move upwardly to engage said label with said container, and means for aixing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member mounted on said table for adjustmentthereon longitudinally of said mandrel, a thread carrying member mounted on said table for adjustment thereon longitudinally of said mandrel and for move-l ment between said mandrel and said table in the lowered position thereof towards and away from said thread gripping member into and out of engagement therewith, means on said thread carrying member for preventing movement of said thread relative thereto during the movement thereof into engagement of said thread gripping member and for permitting relative movement of said thread and thread carrying member during the movement of the latter out of engagement with said thread gripping member, and means movable with and relative to said thread carrying member for severing said thread adjacent thereto at the end of the last mentioned movement thereof.

9. In a machine for aixing a label vto a container, a mandrel for supporting said container, a supporting table for said label located beneath said mandrel and adapted to move upwardly to engage said label with said container, and means for aillxing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member mounted 0n said table for adjustment thereon longitudinally of said mandrel, a thread carrying member mounted on said table for adustment thereon longitudinally of said mandrel and for movement between said mandrel and said table in the lowered position thereof towards and away from said thread grippingv member into and out of engagement therewith,means on said thread carrying member for preventing movement of said thread relative thereto during the movement thereof into engagement of said thread gripping member and for permitting relative movement of said thread and thread carrying member during the movement of the latter out of engagement with said thread gripping member, means movable with and relative to said thread carrying member for severing said thread adjacent thereto at the end of the last mentioned movement thereof, and means for raising said thread carrying member at said end of said movement, and means for actuating said Ythread severing means after said raising movement.

10. In a machine for axing a label to a container, a mandrel for supporting said container, a supporting table for said label located beneath said mandrel and adapted to move upwardly to engage said label with said container, and means for ailixing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member mounted on said table for adjustment thereon longitudinally' of said mandrel, a thread carrying member mounted on said table for adjustment thereon longitudinally of said mandrel, iluid operated means for moving said thread carrying member between said mandrel and said table in the loweied position thereof towards and away from said thread gripping member into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member, means on said thread carrying member for preventing movement of said thread relative thereto during the movement thereof into engagement of said thread gripping member and for permitting relative movement of said thread carrying member during the movement of the latter out of engagement with said thread gripping member and means movable with and relative to said thread carrying member for severing said thread adjacent thereto at the end of the last mentioned movement thereof, and electrically operated means for raising said thread carrying mechanisms at the end of such movement,

rand for moving said thread gripping means to 'out of engagement with said thread gripping member in the lowered position of said table, means on said thread carrying member for preventing movement of said thread relative thereto during the movement thereof into engagement of said thread gripping member and for permitting relative movement of said thread and thread carrying member during the move-` ment of the latter out of engagement with said gripping member, means for raising said thread carrying member at the end of such movement to take up slack in the thread between said thread carrying and gripping member, and means movable with said thread carrying member for severing the` taut thread adjacent to said thread carrying member at said end of -said movement thereof. v

12. In a machine for aiixing a label to a container, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting the relative movement to said supports to aiiix said label to said container, and means for aiiixing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member and a thread carrying member movable between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member ior inserting the thread therein prior to the engagement of said label with said container, means on said thread carrying member for preventing movement of said thread relative thereto during the movement thereof into engagement of said thread gripping member and for permitting relative movement of said thread and thread carrying member during the movement of the latter .out of engagement with said gripping member, means movable with said thread carrying member for severing Asaid thread adjacent to said thread carrying member at the end of the last mentioned movement thereof, said means comprising a shearing edge formed on said thread carrying member and a movable member having a shearing edge adapted to cooperate with the shearing edge of said thread carrying member.

13. In a machine for aflixing a label to a container, a support for said container, a support for said label, means'for imparting the relative movement to said supports to amxsaid label to said container, and means for aiiixing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member and a thread carrying member movable between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member for inserting the thread therein prior to the engagement of said label with said container, means movable with said thread carrying member for severing said thread adjacent to said thread carrying member at the end of the movement thereof out of engagement with said thread gripping member, said means comprising a `rook shaft movable with said thread carrying member, an arm xed to said rock shaft, a knife mounted on the free end of said arm and adapted to move therewith across the forward end of said thread carrying member, means for normally holding said arm in inoperative position, and an electric solenoid for actuating said rock shaft to swing said knife carrying arm into cutting position.

14. In a machine for afxing a label to a container body, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movementto said supports to engage said label with said container, and means for aflixing a thread to said container for rupturing said label, said means comprising a thread gripping member, a thread carrying member movable between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said gripping device to engage the thread therewith prior `to the engagement of said label with said container, said thread carrying member comprising a main body portion, a block pivotally mounted on said main body portion for holding the thread down thereon, a spring for holding said block down on said main body portion, means for clamping the thread to said body portion only during the movement of the thread carrying member in the direction of the thread gripping member, and means for severing said thread in the retracted position of said thread carrying member. i

15. In a machine for anixing a label to a container body, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to engage said label with said container, and means for affixing a thread to said container for rupturing said label, said means comprising a thread gripping member, a thread carrying member movable] between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said gripping device to engage the thread therewith prior to the engagement of said label with said container, said thread carrying member comprising a main body portion, a block pivotally mounted on said main body portion for holding the thread down 15 thereon, a spring for holding said block down on said main body portion means for clamping the thread to said body portion only during the movement ofthe thread carrying member in the direction of the thread gripping member, and means for severing said thread in the retracted position of said thread carrying member, said means comprising a plate secured to the under side of said body member and projecting therebeyond to form ashearing edge, and a knife movable with said thread carrying member and adapted to swing across said shearing edge to sever the thread ilush therewith, the projecting portion of said plate forming a supporting shelf for the loose end of said thread.

16. In a machine for ailixing a label to a container body, a support for said container, a.

support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to engage said label with said container, and means for afxing a thread to said container for rupturing said label, said means comprising thread gripping jaws on said label support, a thread carrying member on said label support, iiuid operated means on said label support for moving said thread carrying member between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said gripping jaws for entering the thread therebetween prior to the engagement of said label with said container, means on said thread carrying member for gripping the thread during the movement of said carrying member into engagement with said gripping jaws and for releasing said thread during the movement of said thread carrying member out of engagement with said thread gripping jaws, a spring for closing said jaws, and electric solenoid for opening said jaws, and an electric solenoid for raising said thread carrying member in the retracted position thereof to take up slack in said thread between said thread carrying member and said jaws.

1'7. In a machine for afllxing a label to a container body, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to engage said label with said container, and means for aiilxing a thread to said container for rupturing said label, said means comprising a thread gripping member, a thread carrying member movable between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said gripping device to engage the thread therewith prior to the engagement of said label with said container, means for raising the forward end of said thread carrying member in the retracted position thereof for taking up slack in said thread beyond said end, said means comprising an electric solenoid having an armature cooperating with said thread carrying member, said thread gripping device comprising a `pair of spring closed pivoted jaws, and an electric solenoid operatively connected to said jaws for opening the same to release the thread in the retracted position of said thread carrying member.

18. in a machine for aiixing a label to a container body, a support for said container, a support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to engage said label with said container, and means for ailixing a thread to said container for rupturing said label, said means comprising a thread gripping member, a thread carrying member movable between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said gripping device for inserting the thread therein prior to the engagement of said label with said container, said thread gripping device comprising a pair of pivoted jaws, a rotary cam located between said jaws for opening the latter, a spring for closing said jaws, a shaft for rotating said cam, a pinion on said shaft, a rack meshing with said pinion, a spring for shifting said rack in one direction and an electric solenoid for shifting said rack in th'e opposite direction.

19. In a machine for amxing a label to a. container body, a support for said container, support for said label, means for imparting relative movement to said supports to engage said label'with said container, and means for aiiixing a thread to said container for rupturing said label, said means comprising a thread gripping member, a thread carrying member, fluid operated means for moving said thread carrying member between said container and said label into and out of engagement with said gripping device to engage the thread therewith prior to the engagement of said label with said container, a solenoid for raising said thread carrying member in the retracted position thereof to take up slack in said thread beyond said end, a knife for severing said thread at the forward end of said thread carrying member in the retracted position thereof, a solenoid for actuating said knife, said thread gripping device comprising a pair offpivoted jaws, a rotary cam located between said jaws for opening the latter, a spring for closing said jaws, a shaft .for rotating said cam, a pinion on said shaft, a rack meshing with said pinion, a spring for shifting said rack in one direction and an electric solenoid for shifting said rack in the opposite direction.

20. In a machine for amxing a label to a container a rotary mandrel for supporting said container, a table for supporting said label below said mandrel, means for raising said table to engage the label thereon with the under side of said container and means for affxing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member mounted on said table, a thread carrying member mounted on said table and means for moving said thread carrying member between said mandrel and said table into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member in the lowermost position of said table.

21. In a machine for aiiixing a label to a. container a rotary mandrel for supporting said container, a table for supporting said label below said mandrel, means for raising said table to engage the label thereon with the under side of said container and means for aiixing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member mounted on said table, a thread carrying member mounted on said table, means for moving said thread carrying member between said mandrel and said table into and out of engagement with said thread gripping device in the lowermost position of said table, a shaft journaled on said table, a pair of arms depending from said shaft, a pair of levers pivotally supported intermediate between their ends on the respective arms, a cross bar connecting the mandrel opposing ends of said levers and supporting said thread carrying member, and means for actuating said shaft,

22. In a machine for afdxing a label to a container a rotary mandrel for supporting said container, a table for supporting said label below said mandrel, means for raising said table to engage the label thereon with the under side of said container and means for axing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member mounted on said table, a thread carrying member mounted on said table, means for moving said thread carrying member between said mandrel and said table into and out of engagement with said thread gripping device in the lowermost position of said table, a shaft journaled on said table, a. pair of arms depending from said shaft, a pair of levers pivotally supported intermediate between their ends on the respective arms, a cross bar connecting the mandrel opposing ends of said levers and supporting said thread carrying member, means for actuating said shaft, plates removably secured to said table and having guide slots therein and rollers on the ends of said levers remote from their cross bar supporting ends and cooperating with the respective guide slots.

23. In a machinel for aflxing a label to a container a rotary mandrel for supporting said container, a table for supporting said label below said mandrel, means for raising Said table to engage the label thereon with the under side of said container and means for aflixing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping member mounted on said table, a thread carrying member, means for moving said thread carrying member between said mandrel and said table into and out of engagement with said thread gripping member in the lowermost position of said table, an upright frame removably secured to said table, a shaft journaled on said frame parallel with said mandrel, a pair of arms fixed to said shaft, a pair of levers disposed transversely of said mandrel and pivotally supported intermediate between their ends on the lower end of the respective arms, a cross bar connecting the mandrel opposing ends of said levers and supporting said thread carrying member, fluid operated means for actuating said shaft, plates removably secured to the respective frames and having guide slots therein, and rollers on the ends of said levers remote from their cross bar supporting ends and cooperating with the respective cam slots.

24. In a machine for axing a label to a container a rotary mandrel for supporting said container, a table for supporting said label below said mandrel, means for raising said table to engage the label thereon with the under side of said container and means for aiiixing an opening thread to said container comprising a thread gripping device mounted on said table, an electric solenoid for actuating said gripping member, a thread carrying device, means for moving said thread carrying device between said mandrel and said table into and out of engagement with said thread gripping device in the lowerrnost position of said table, an upright frame removably secured to said table, a rock shaft journaled on said frame parallel with said mandrel, a pair of rock arms depending from said shaft, a` pair of levers disposed transversely of said shaft and piovtally supported intermediate between their ends on the respective rock arms, a cross bar connecting the mandrel opposing ends of said levers and supporting said thread carrying device, a fluid cylinder mounted on said frame for actuating said rock shaft, plates removably secured to said table and having guide slots therein having their mandrel opposing ends extending upwardly and their other ends extending downwardly, rollers on the ends of said levers remote from their cross bar supporting ends and cooperating with the respective guide slots, an electric solenoid for drawing said rollers into said downwardly extending ends of said slots, a thread cutting device mounted on said cross bar, an electric solenoid for operating said thread cutting device, a valve for controlling said fluid cylinder, electric switches for controlling the respective solenoids, and cams for operating said Vvalve and switches.

25. In a machine for aiiixing a label to a container, a mandrel for supporting said container, a table for supporting a stack of labels below said mandrel, means moving said table upwardly to press the label out the top of said stack against the under side of a container on said mandrel, and means for aiiixing a thread to said container for rupturing said label, said means comprising a thread gripping member mounted on said table,

and a thread carrying member mounted on said table and movable between said container and said stack into and out of engagement with said gripping device for engaging the thread therewith prior to the engagement of said label with said container, the thread engaging portion of said thread gripping device being disposed above the top of said stack in the lower position of said table and being adapted to move downwardly below the top of said stack when the table moves upwardly to press said stack against the underside of said container.

HARRY J. ENGLE.

OTTO J. GAEDIG.

RUSSELL T. HENNEBERRY.

LESTER W. UI-ILES. 

